News
Organisers of Southland’s Multicultural Food Festival are on the look out for some fresh new flavours for next month’s annual event. But be in quick, last minute registrations close 27th February.
With 55 stalls already locked in at Stadium Southland on March 21 - there is still room for more recipes that tell the story of people’s home country.
If you are new to Southland and carrying a recipe from home in your heart, this is your invitation to share it with the community.
“Maybe your grandmother taught you how to cook by feel, not by recipe, and you haven’t tasted that love in our food since coming here,” events co-ordinator Danielle Carson said.
“The Southland Multicultural Food Festival isn’t just for registered businesses or commercial kitchens. It’s for migrant mums, aunties, grandparents and whānau who have brought flavours from around the world to Invercargill.”
She said it also doesn’t matter if this is the first time cooking for a large audience.
“The festival is about the joy of culture and sharing is what makes us unique.
“We are happy for new migrants to reach out to us about any dish you want to share with Murihiku, let us widen the smells of your home and join together in kai.”
Held in conjunction with International Race Relations Day, last year’s event attracted about 15,000 people, showcasing a huge selection of international and local cuisine.
Office manager Jo Wilson said this year there would be quite a few new flavours, all under wraps for now and she is quite excited about the entertainment lineup as well.
A “mini-stadium take over,” Jo calls it, as this year they are taking all seven courts at the stadium and the reception area, being able to spread out and give everybody the space to walk around freely was important for the organising team.
“We have taken so many factors into consideration and looked at ‘how can we make this better,’” Jo said.
Now in its 18th year, the event started in someone’s lounge before moving to the school hall at James Hargest College, and quickly grew to the huge event it is today.
Last year some of the vendors sold out of their food by lunchtime, so the secret is to come early and avoid the crowds.
Jo said it was going to be a huge weekend with the national athletics championships and a big softball tournament on as well.
The Southland Multicultural Trust is involved in other important work outside of the annual food event, to help connect and empower the various ethnic communities.
No one day is the same. Jo suggested the best way to find out more is to “check out our Facebook page for all the different events we hold throughout the year; our events are for everyone in Southland to enjoy”.
For more information goto the Southland Multicultural Trust Facebook page.
